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Oil Leak Thru Pan Bolts

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by mickeykelley, Nov 25, 2018.

  1. Nov 25, 2018
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    The engine was just rebuilt by a highly respected local rebuilder and I've just got 200 miles on it. But when crawling under it, I see oil drip built up on a number of the oil pan bolt heads and the drain plug. Is this normal? I've tried tightening the bolts, cleaning oil off and it keeps coming back. Do others have this same issue? Solution a little silicone on the heads and run them back thru?

    I'd like to not end up with a greasy mess engine like before, but is that realistic. I just hate to go to work on things that are a greasy mess.
     
  2. Nov 25, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Use caution. Over-tightening can actually distort the pan and cause leaks. One hopes the builder made sure it was flat around each bolt hole. (?)

    Personally I don't like silicone at all. Permatex #2?

    Or take it back to the builder and have him re-set the pan with a new gasket.
     
    Rick Whitson likes this.
  3. Nov 25, 2018
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    I'm taking the sound recording over to him in the morning to listen to that noise so I'm going ask him about the oil too, but was curious if it is a common with these engines.

    About the only worse thing than an oil leak mess on a new engine is grabbing a greasy tool someone put back up. One of the reasons I don't lend tools anymore. I clean my own grease every time I use a tool or socket, but I refuse to clean others mess.
     
  4. Nov 26, 2018
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    That is a Bummer. I like you, hate leaks, been chasing leaks since I finished my Jeep in 07. Mostly because of my lack of knowledge. Live and learn, with the help I got from ECJ 5 Forum, I think it is a lot better. There is so much to learn, and only trial and error will give you the results you want. It's all the little things you don't know about antique motors and the way they were built. The good thing about early Jeeps is they were built to be worked on in the field, you can remove the oil pan without pulling the motor. Good Luck Mickey
     
    Beach66Bum likes this.
  5. Nov 26, 2018
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
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    If the oil pan has been over tightened before, the bolt holes have to be hammered back
    down? Usually the ball end of a ball peen hammer laid in hole and hit with another
    hammer does the trick. The builder should have done this?
     
  6. Nov 26, 2018
    Greevesman

    Greevesman Member

    Napa, Ca
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    On my 64 the two rear bolts that thread into the rear main cap seemed to be too long and were bottoming in the hole before coming down tight. I shortened a bit and it stopped seeping.
    Check the depth of those two holes.
     
  7. Nov 26, 2018
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    For the leaking oil pan drain plug, a new nylon washer should fix the leaking. They get very hard and brittle. A new soft nylon washer fixed my leaking drain plug.
     
  8. Nov 26, 2018
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
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    Interesting. Is nylon better than the soft copper ones that typically were spec'ed for these older motors?

    You could probably get by with all kinds of materials, even a paper washer cut from a manila folder or some such.
     
  9. Nov 26, 2018
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

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    I have seen that some oil are leaking from the valve cover, up the engine, and it goes slowly down. It is very small leak so I don't try to change anything. But I could probably change the gasket, put some product ad hoc. I suppose that if you change the gasket at the bottom, oil pan, and check all well, with the help of some good products, all will become clean. Good luck.
     
    70cj5134f likes this.
  10. Nov 26, 2018
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

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    Remember gravity pulls oil down?
     
  11. Nov 26, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Don't think of it as a greasy mess.
    Think of it as "On Board Undercoating"
     
    Bowbender likes this.
  12. Nov 26, 2018
    heavychevy

    heavychevy Sponsor

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    Sorry to hear of the leaks, the engine builder should make it good
     
  13. Nov 26, 2018
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Both work for sure. The nylon can be use over and over, as long as it remains soft. I have heard people using the copper over too. As for which is better, they both do the job, unless you are wanting 100% period correct.
     
    Hellion likes this.
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